"If Brad Schimel truly had wanted to keep our kids and our classrooms safe, these funds would have been distributed months ago"

MADISON -- Democratic Party of Wisconsin chair Martha Laning and Rep. Sondy Pope criticized Attorney General Brad Schimel on a press call this morning for dragging out the distribution of school safety grants in order to garner as much media attention as possible. The legislature approved the grants 5 months ago, but some schools won’t receive funding until October, just weeks before Election Day because Brad Schimel has timed the announcement of the funds in his political favor.

“We can’t play politics with our kids’ safety,” said Martha Laning, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. “It says a lot about Brad Schimel’s character that he would prevent the implementation of safety programs to be ready for the start of the school year just so he can continue to campaign on his one-time, nonrenewable source of funding.”

August 13 is the last day for school districts to apply for the second round of funding, and recipients won’t receive funding until the fall, weeks after the school year has begun. Gov. Scott Walker even said, “by the time kids go back to school in the fall those grants will be administered,” but Brad Schimel seems intent on dragging out media coverage until days before the November election.

“If Brad Schimel truly had wanted to keep our kids and our classrooms safe, these funds would have been distributed months ago,” said Rep. Sondy Pope.“Real leaders don’t wait for a politically convenient moment to do their job. They take action right away, and get their job done whether or not they’re given praise.”

“The fact is, Brad Schimel is not serious about keeping Wisconsinites safe,” added Laning. “In November, Wisconsinites will choose a new Attorney General. And you can bet Josh Kaul’s priorities will be with Wisconsin families and with Wisconsin communities.”